DUE to an increasing amount of regular gigs across the city, York is becoming one of the jazz hotspots of the north. This evening alone, you can hear jazz in three venues which have started hosting the music in the past 12 months.

At The Pavilion Hotel on Fulford Road, vocalist Jenny Smith will be performing along side pianist Andy Cholerton from 7pm. Vocal jazz duos play in the bar every week and it is an excellent place to relax and enjoy a drink or a meal.

Further into the city, James Lancaster brings a quartet to the cool night-club atmosphere of Nevermind, Stonebow House. Playing classic swing and bebop, the band also features York’s own jazz guitar expert, Al Morrison. Music starts at 8.30pm.

The Red Lion Hotel in Poppleton hosted star saxophonist Snake Davis on Monday evening and from the Youtube video footage, it looks to have been a roaring success. Tonight, the Karl Mullen Trio are joined by vocalist Rachel Croft who is making a name for herself in the city due to regular appearances with her guitar at the local open mic sessions.

Cornelius Corkery may be an name which is new to many readers but it’s one which you will be hearing much more of. Mr Corkery is a fine guitarist and although he is versatile, the focus of his music appears to be on gypsy jazz. His trio are appearing at The Fox on Holgate Road on Friday evening as well as Sotanos Bar, Little Stonegate from 9pm on Sunday.

Chilean saxophonist Ricardo Alvarez has a sound reminiscent of Stan Getz and he utilises it effectively on straight-ahead jazz and bossa nova. He is the guest at Kennedy’s Bar, Little Stonegate from 1pm on Sunday. The Phoenix Inn, George Street hosts jazz at least twice a week and it’s great to see that all of the regular gigs have had full and enthusiastic audiences of late. On Sunday night, the Central Scrutinizers play their favourite compositions by artists such as Charles Mingus and Thelonius Monk from 8pm. On Wednesday, the popular jam session invites guests to sit in with the house band from 8.30pm.

There are some excellent gigs outside of the city this week including Dave Moorwood’s Rascals of Rhythm at Boston Spa Jazz Club on Saturday. The band play music in the style of small jazz ensembles from the 1930s.

In Scarborough, Jazz Aesthetic bring their arrangements of soul and funk material to The Cask Inn at 8.45pm on Wednesday. The band are students and graduates of Hull University and are a fine example of the talent coming from the city.

If you haven’t made a trip to York’s newest independent record shop then you’re missing out. Vinyl Eddie is on Tadcaster Road and has a great jazz selection. Put some time aside to go as you have plenty of LPs to search through and you can even get a coffee and a snack while you shop.